Multicolor Imaging Polarimetry of Obscured Seyfert 2 Nuclei

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Hst Proposal Id #6702 Agn

Scientific paper

The polarized flux spectra of at least 10 Seyfert 2 galaxies look like the flux spectra of Seyfert 1 nuclei, and the polarization position angles are generally perpendicular to the radio structure. This and other evidence suggests that all Seyfert 2s may have obscured Seyfert 1 nuclei visible only in reflected light. Off-nuclear dust clouds have been observed in some Seyfert 2s that reflect and bluen the nuclear light. Previously we have obtained FOS spectropolarimetry measurements on eight Seyfert 2 galaxies. Here we are proposing to use the FOC to conduct imaging polarimetry in two UV colors for 3 of these Seyferts to look for off-nuclear scattering mirrors and to resolve spatially the nuclear {electron scattering} mirrors. Polarimetric imaging provides a robust way to look for reflected radiation from hidden nuclei. Optical imaging polarimetry observations have been difficult from the ground because of the need for high spatial resolution and because of the dilution of this reflected light by starlight. The UV images will exclude almost all of the cool starlight that typically dilutes polarization, and comparisons of the images at the two wavelengths should allow us to distinguish between dust or electron scattering as the polarigenic mechanisms. We can then determine the geometry of the scattering regions and the physical nature of the scatterers. The electron scattering region size scale is a key model constraint.

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